"Sure," Petalpelt mewed. "Thanks!" She took a bite of the rabbit and swallowed it quickly.

He felt pleased with himself. He had found a new friend in such a short time. His old friend turned on him and joined BloodClan. He wasn't going to let his new friend slip away.

"Are you Clan born?" Petalpelt asked in curiosity.

He shook his head. "But I was born in RiverClan territory. With my old friend. My parents were murdered by the Clan though." He looked straight ahead, not meeting her eyes, "my friend was the only thing I had then, he tried to attack me. He went to join Bloodclan. I was still seven moons. Then  a warrior of RiverClan, Brookbreeze, brought me to the leader and I joined this Clan." He finally managed to look at her again, "what about you?"

His black pelt was ruffled by the breeze, highlighted by blue in the moonlight. His icy eyes were kind but smart. He waited for an answer.

"I'm sorry." Petalpelt mewed, understanding the tom. "My parents are dead too. My father was a Clan cat, but my mother was a kittypet. They both left and became rogues when my mother was expecting us. So I guess, technically, I was a rogue."

e didn't know why but he smiled again, "then I guess we've got sort of the same roots. Both rogues." He felt happier knowing someone else shared his sorrow. It made him feel like he was not alone.

Petalpelt nodded, feeling closer to her new friend since they understood each others past and history.

He needed a drink because his throat felt dry so he stood up. He had seen a lake only a ten or eleven fox-lengths away from where Petalpelt was. He went towards it and bent down to lap up the cold water. Then he sat at the waters edge and looked out over the silver surface.

Petalpelt watched him go over to the lake and drink out of its depths. She wondered what he was thinking about, staring into the water.

He took a deep breath. He thought about the proposition in his dreams. Leave, the voice said, it is the right thing to do. Become one of us. Leave a new friend you will make. He glanced back to quickly look at Petalpelt. If right is leaving, he thought, I'd rather be wrong.

"Alright?" Petalpelt meowed, wondering what her friend was thinking.

He shook his head to clear, "Im fine." He managed to smile again and went back to her.

"Okay..." Petalpelt mewed uncertainly.

He sat next to her, "but seriously, don't worry. Insults? Shrug them off and laugh along. Pain? Try not to cry because you will heal. Bad memories? Don't try to remember. Things you gotta learn. Just smile, be happy and life will be great!" His eyes shone, "you can be anything, anyone, no matter what cats think!"

"Yeah!" Petalpelt nodded, understanding what he was saying.

"Live right now and just be yourself." He smiled at her again, "But I think you get the idea."

"Thanks Bluestripe!" Petalpelt meowed, feeling a lot better now.

"So, whatd'ya wanna do now?"

Petalpelt shrugged and turned her gaze to the fresh-kill pile. "Do you want to go hunting?" She tilted her head to one side as she asked.

"Sure!"